Thread: What do veterans deserve?

I am presently having a light debate with a fellow Brit veteran.

He maintains that the government should award all veterans a medal for their service.

I take the view that a “gong” would be a pointless waste of time and money. I don’t expect a medal or even gratitude. A little respect wouldn’t go amiss, but that should come voluntarily from the public, not government.

Service pension will do me fine thanks.

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

I just saw it as a paid job at the same time as enjoying myself

and less chance of going to prison

Agree medals should be awarded for something other than pledging allegiance to the Queen. Even the Queens Golden Jubilee medal awarded in 2002, those serving in the Armed Forces had to have completed 5 years service to get one. My solitary GSM is enough for me.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

US is gong-happy.

Sure is! I vaguely remember swapping my No 1 uniform for all the medals on a USAF female techy's chest during one Red Flag competition. I can't remember where I put her medals but always remember the chest they were pinned on. Harmony and Rhapsody ! Not sure if that was her name but she answered to both... in the days of the indestructable Captain Scarlet.

Originally Posted by Switch

I am presently having a light debate with a fellow Brit veteran.

He maintains that the government should award all veterans a medal for their service.

I take the view that a “gong” would be a pointless waste of time and money. I don’t expect a medal or even gratitude. A little respect wouldn’t go amiss, but that should come voluntarily from the public, not government.

Hi Chuckie, I had you pegged as a product of government indoctrination. I guess I was more than right.
Not just a part but an integral cog of a pointless war machine.
Your are part of the problem, along with all other war mongering government.

You want some respect? Then go out and serve the community and make amends to the community, for being a puppet of the lies and corruption of the war machine.

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Hi Chuckie, I had you pegged as a product of government indoctrination. I guess I was more than right.
Not just a part but an integral cog of a pointless war machine.
Your are part of the problem, along with all other war mongering government.

You want some respect? Then go out and serve the community and make amends to the community, for being a puppet of the lies and corruption of the war machine.

Once again demonstrating your complete inability to read and comprehend.

My old man was a Korean vet he deserved every penny he got from the oz gov.

Originally Posted by Switch

Once again demonstrating your complete inability to read and comprehend.

Are you so proud of your military service that now you are denying it?...

Originally Posted by Mr Earl

Are you so proud of your military service that now you are denying it?...

I am proud of my service.
You, and anyone else has the freedom to disagree or denigrate. It’s a choice you have that has been delivered courtesy of the selfless.
Its an apolitical gesture, completely risk free, with no advance payment required. Take it or leave it.

Oh I see you already did.

Originally Posted by Switch

I am proud of my service.

Which makes you a knowing and integral cog in a global war machine responsible for countless millions of deaths over the past 100 years. That and the violent enslavement of countless nations, societies, and cultures.
Not exactly a legacy to be proud off.

You got shit-pile of karma to work off...Lucky you amigo...

It's usually the politicians who start wars. The military just do the fighting. That makes the politicians more responsible for the deaths than the military, I reckon.

Originally Posted by Neverna

It's usually the politicians who start wars. The military just do the fighting. That makes the politicians more responsible for the deaths than the military, I reckon.

Are there no politicians in Pentagon? Or do they just sit back awaiting orders from the politicians (e.g. W, Obama, Trump and their Melody Boys) who to bomb?

The American system of free schooling for veterans seems right. Someone coming out of a structured environment where they don’t have to think for themselves definitely needs retraining for normal life.

I certainly still have my dogtags (the only way I can remember my blood type) and I think I have my National Defense Service Medal somewhere. The only benefit I ever received was the GI Bill stipend I received while I was in my undergraduate studies which together with part-time work (caddying and janitoring) got me my BA degree without any over-hanging debt.

for my generation and those younger, it's just a job that some people do....generally people who are low-income and/or low intelligence.

yes, it's dangerous...but they knew that going in, didn't they?

being a cop or a firefighter is dangerous. working on an oil rig is dangerous. being a lumberjack is dangerous.

as posted above, veterans in the US have been remunerated quite well....significant salary increases, pensions, GI bill, low interest loans, health care, etc...

and back in the day, people were drafted....they had no choice but to join.

whatever.

get over yourself.

A lot changed with the 'Volunteer Army'. I made less than $100 a month when I went in. After three years, my GI Bill was $185 a month. No other benefits of any kind.

Enough to support a good woman

Originally Posted by Neverna

It's usually the politicians who start wars. The military just do the fighting. That makes the politicians more responsible for the deaths than the military, I reckon.

Originally Posted by Klondyke

Are there no politicians in Pentagon? Or do they just sit back awaiting orders from the politicians (e.g. W, Obama, Trump and their Melody Boys) who to bomb?

I'm sorry. I don't understand your post or how it relates to mine. Can you re-phrase it, please?

Originally Posted by Begbie

The American system of free schooling for veterans seems right. Someone coming out of a structured environment where they don’t have to think for themselves definitely needs retraining for normal life.

Partly correct in the case of the U.K.
People need to understand that the military draw entrants from all walks of life, with vastly different educational backgrounds.
On the whole the grunts might struggle to return to civilian life, many highly qualified technician types may not.
Even that is a generalization.
The incidence of homeless veterans ending up in the prison system is increasing, as many are broken by the demands of long operational tours, and poor post service support.
Would greater support in service and after, just make them more dependent on that institutional support?

The resettlement service has improved over the years, with trade and academic support and advice for those who apply for it. Nowhere near the remit of the GI bill, but it is getting better.
Most don’t need a medal or a pat on the back. Just a little respect and understanding from their civilian peers, who mostly take their services for granted.

Thanks for the impotent and meaningless red repo Jeff.
At least Earl has some company on that disproportionate outrage bus.

You, like him are a fake, a fraud and one trick pony. You, like him are an isolationist who cannot see further than the end of you dripping nose.

Ive told you before, if you disagree with me so violently, then at least have the balls to say it on the open forum. Hiding behind anonymous repo comments is ignorant and ever so slightly devious. But that’s you all over isn’t it cretin?

Originally Posted by Switch

Would greater support in service and after, just make them more dependent on that institutional support?

Definitely. That's not really a military way of thinking and the only way is to do it yerself. I tried the RBL and SSAFA once, and they never had a clue. My help came from going to see my MP. He got things moving regarding my problems. The RBL and SSAFA only wanted to help me financially.

Originally Posted by Switch

Thanks for the impotent and meaningless red repo Jeff.
At least Earl has some company on that disproportionate outrage bus.

You, like him are a fake, a fraud and one trick pony. You, like him are an isolationist who cannot see further than the end of you dripping nose.

Ive told you before, if you disagree with me so violently, then at least have the balls to say it on the open forum. Hiding behind anonymous repo comments is ignorant and ever so slightly devious. But that’s you all over isn’t it cretin?

Chuckie you are utter unaware of your brainwashing which permits you to endorse by military force; a violent culture of lies, consumerism, murder, disruption of family, more lies, phony governments, phony money, greed, disregard for the environment, more lies, fraudulent health care, irresponsible wasting of resources, for profit prisons, genocide of indigenous people, government indoctrination camps, and a few more lies.